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If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies. Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and cannot “carry-on” to the plane. Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.
If you are going to be flying Qatar, then here are the Qatar Airways carry-on rules you need to be aware of:
Qatar Airways Carry-On Rules and Bag Guidelines
Qatar Airways allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard, at no charge, for economy class and they allow two carry-on bags plus a personal item for those flying in the business and first class cabins.
The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, and the carry-on bag must be stowed in the overhead bin.
What does Qatar consider a Personal item?
In addition to your hand baggage allowance, you can also carry personal items such as one lady’s handbag or one small briefcase; one coat, cape or blanket; one umbrella; one pair of crutches or a walking stick; one small camera or binoculars; limited reading material; an infant’s carrying basket; duty-free items purchased on the day of your flight.
Qatar Airways Carry-On Dimensions
Qatar size requirements for a carry-on are:
- Dimensions for carry-on baggage: max. 50 x 37 x 25 cm
If you aren’t sure what size your carry on is, Qatar typically provides “size check templates” located at their ticketing counters and departure gates. But if you wait until you get to either of these locations and have an issue, it’s too late.
If the bag is too big or too heavy, you’re going to have to pay a fee, so it’s always better to know your bag size and the limitations in advance.
Carry-On Weight Limits
Qatar requires carry-on bags to weigh less than 7 kg (15 lbs.) each. However, they don’t weight your carry-on items prior to boarding, so you’re generally not going to have a problem if it’s too heavy. The weight issue applies to checked baggage more than carry-on bags, since they weigh your checked bags when you check in for you flight.
Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods
Dangerous Goods are classified as items or substances that could pose health or safety hazards to customers. The transport of these goods is regulated by international civil aviation regulations, and they are generally not allowed in either cabin baggage or checked baggage, with some exceptions.
The list includes items such as aerosols, fireworks, matches, etc… A complete list can be found on the FAA website, the TSA website, and/or the EASA website.
One more way to find them is with the Qatar Airways summary of restricted goods.
Carry-On Liquids
The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA, EASA and FAA. Qatar Airways doesn’t make the rules, but they must enforce them.
- Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on container).
- All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity 1 litre). One bag per person.
- The bag must be presented separately at security. Take your liquids out of your carry-on baggage at the security screening point and present them separately. In exceptional cases, liquids may be opened in the course of security checks and removed from their outer packaging.
- Liquid duty-free goods purchased at an international airport or on board an aircraft outside the EU must be transported in a tamper-proof, certified bag on connecting flights via an EU airport. The proof of purchase must be inside the bag and the bag must be sealed by the retailer.
- Medicines and special food (e.g. baby food) can be carried outside the plastic bag and must also be presented at security.
The TSA 3-1-1 Rule
Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.
Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security check point.
Here is a little video to help illustrate:
Carry-On Food
There are two different scenarios pertaining to food:
- Food you bring with you to the airport, and
- Food you buy at the airport, after you have gone through security.
An important thing to note is the classification of liquid foods vs. solid foods.
The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel”. This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).
The TSA website advises what food can be brought with you on your flight. This applies to food you are bringing from home through security. Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.
Qatar Airways Carry-On Pet Policy
Similar to Emirates and Etihad, Qatar Airways does not allow passengers to travel with any kind of pets in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage. In accordance with the regulations of the United Arab Emirates government, all animals must enter the UAE as manifested cargo.
There are two exceptions to this rule:
Service dogs
On certain routes, Qatar Airways allows service dogs in the passenger cabin, free of charge, to accompany a passenger with a disability. On all other routes, service dogs will be accepted free of charge as checked baggage within the aircraft hold.
Falcons
Qatar actually allows you to carry one falcon in the Economy Class cabin of an aircraft, and a maximum of six falcons are permitted within the Economy Class cabin of any one aircraft (country regulations may apply). Seriously, you are not reading this wrong, it’s true. Read this article to learn more.
Qatar Airways Carry On Fees
Qatar does not charge a fee for carry-on baggage that meets their size requirements. If your bag is too large and doesn’t meet Qatar’s carry on restrictions, you may be charged a fee to gate check it.
Here is a link to Qatar Airways Carry On page to make sure you have the most up to date information.
Etihad Airways Carry On Rules: Everything you need to know
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